NECC Campus Read

Campus READ 2023 
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones 

1. At the beginning of the book, Clear declares that this “...book is not an academic paper, it’s an operating manual”. Did he succeed in creating an operating manual?  

2. Clear talks about three types of habit formation. The first is outcome-based, concerned with changing results such as losing weight or publishing a book. The second concept was process-based, such as decluttering a desk to become more productive. Clear then talked about “identity-based habits” such as “I am the kind of person who eats healthy food” or “I am a regular writer.” Which of these processes did you identify with the most?  

3. What identities have you adopted that might be holding you back (“I’m horrible at math” or “I’m not a morning person”)? How has that self-talk impacted you? How could you reframe that self-talk to be more empowering and positive? 

4. Among the four laws of building a habit – make it obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying, which one do you think is the hardest for you to do?  In the first law, habit stacking and implementing intentions help make it obvious – do you believe this is easier said than done? 

5. Temptation bundling is when you pair something you enjoy doing with a habit you want to form (e.g., coffee + work, reading audiobooks + hitting the gym). Have you tried implementing this technique? If yes – has it been successful? If not – would you be open to it, and what would you bundle?  

6. Environment design is one strategy discussed in the book. What steps can you take to design your environment for success? How can you design a world where it’s easy to do what’s right? What if you live with others or work in a shared space? 

7. Clear describes how "the normal behavior of the tribe often overpowers the desired behavior of the individual". He gives examples of how a superior skill or habit can be subsumed in the interest of getting along with others. Do you have some habits torpedoed by cultural pressure or a desire to fit in? What communities or sub-cultures are you a part of, and how have they impacted your habits? 

8. Chapter 9 mentions that we imitate the habits of three groups of people—the close, the many, and the powerful. Given this awareness, which group is more significant to your life?  

9.  "If you want to master a habit, the key is to start with repetition, not perfection." Why do you think it's hard for people to start doing something instead of waiting for the perfect moment or opportunity?   

10.  Were there any concepts or tips in this book that you did not agree with or did not find helpful?  

11.  Has this book helped you make tiny improvements in your life? If so, would you like to share your journey with us?